A Tough Competitor

It was only in mid-November that Zimmerman made his first steps back onto the court. Competing in the Rolex-ITCA qualifiers, Zimmerman managed to capture second place and earned a bid to compete in the national indoor championships held last weekend.

Fish called Zimmerman's recovery and participation at the mid-November qualifiers tournament "an incredible comeback."

"I really can't explain it. My hamstring just started getting better on it's own as the championships came up," Zimmerman said. "From then on I just weaseled my way through the tournament."

Fish was less modest. "He really toughed it out. He really is tough competitor."

Other team members commended the strength Zimmerman exhibited by keeping out of regular play and potentially aggravating his hamstring.

"It's really tough to not go back out there and play. He did a great job of just staying off the leg," said team member freshman Andrew Rueb. "It's really tough in tennis to take time off. You just loose it after a while."

Zimmerman said that he actually couldn't help feeling somewhat grateful for the injury.

"It's funny not being able to do something you're used to doing everyday," Zimmerman said. "Those four months were a time when I realized how big a part of my life tennis was and how much I should appreciate having other things to fall back on."

Zimmerman was also thankful for the support he got from team members and the somewhat "overcautious" treatment Fish gave him.

"I mean `overcautious' in a good way," Zimmerman said. "He didn't want to risk losing me for the year."

Zimmerman hopes that with the injury behind him, he'll be actively engaged in play for the duration of the season.

Last weekend the injury seemed to be a distant memory. Zimmerman made an impressive run to the semifinals of the Rolex-ITCA Championships.

And if his recent performance is any indication, Zimmerman should enjoy a prosperous spring season.